35 Realistic Ways To Save Money Starting Now

The reason many find it hard to save is because they cut things they love, or need, to do. Or they cut drastically across the board. Saving money this way isn't realistic. It's like dieting; if you eat nothing but kale and apple cider for five days, you will be diving into a chocolate cake headfirst by the end of the week. For example, something you won't see on this list: skipping your daily coffee purchase. Now, spending $5 every day on a Starbucks latte does add up to some serious cash: $1,800 a year to be exact. And yes, you can make your coffee at home. But those of us who buy a mocha latte every morning don't do it just for the coffee. We do it for the social interactions, the feel and smell of a coffee shop and the finale of a morning routine that tells us we have officially started our day. That to me is worth the $5. Maybe just not every day. Or maybe at a cheaper coffee shop.

Here are 35 realistic ways to cut down on spending and save money, without setting yourself up for failure. Or making yourself miserable.

Home:

Cut the cable cord and stream. Or tell your cable company you're going to cut services and see how quickly they offer a promotion. While you're at it...